House Resolution Seeks Probe on Bangsamoro Normalization Delays
A lawmaker has urged the House of Representatives to investigate the delays in the Bangsamoro normalization process, emphasizing that these setbacks endanger peace in Mindanao. The call centers on the delays in Bangsamoro normalization process that could undermine the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Kamanggagawa party-list Rep. Elijah San Fernando filed House Resolution No. 126, requesting the relevant committees to examine the conflicting statements and actions between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH), both signatories of the CAB, local leaders reported.
Contradictions in Decommissioning Process
San Fernando highlighted the MILF’s suspension of decommissioning 14,000 combatants, citing the lack of transition to productive civilian life as the reason. However, this claim is disputed by David Diciano, head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru) for Bangsamoro transition, who affirmed that socio-economic interventions have been underway since 2015.
“The abovementioned resolution asserts that while the MILF has diligently decommissioned a total of 26,145 of its combatants, ‘not a single one of them successfully undergone transition to productive civilian life,’ as promised in the Annex of Normalization,” San Fernando explained in HR No. 126.
“Contrary to the content of MILF’s resolution, Presidential Assistant for Bangsamoro Transition David Diciano detailed in an official statement dated July 31, 2025, that major socio-economic interventions have been implemented since 2015 despite the fact that the GPH and MILF Peace Implementing Panels only approved the Socioeconomic Package Framework for the MILF decommissioned combatants in February 2024,” he added, officials reported.
Government’s Role in Postponed Decommissioning
According to San Fernando, the current administration’s failure to fully implement socio-economic provisions under the peace agreement has compelled the MILF to delay further decommissioning, raising concerns over Mindanao’s fragile peace.
“Hindi nagiging tapat ang gobyerno, partikular ang administrasyong Marcos sa kanyang end of the bargain dito sa peace process kaya napilitan ang mga kapatid nating Moro na ihinto ang decommissioning ng mga MILF soldiers,” he asserted.
“We are for peace. Para kami sa kapayapaan at ang mga kapatid nating Moro ay para sa kapayapaan pero mahirap naman na mag-usap ng kapayapaan kung walang hustisya at kung hindi tapat ang gobyerno sa kanyang pinirmahan na kasunduan,” the lawmaker added, community members said.
Warnings from Moro Community Leaders
Lucille Diocolano, a Moro community leader and women’s rights advocate supporting the resolution, warned of grave consequences if the delays remain unresolved.
“Kapag hindi na-resolba ang delay na ito, apektado ang socio-economic development ng mga conflict-affected communities, tataas ang illiteracy rates, at isa sa pinakanakakatakot na epekto nito ay ang pagbalik ng karahasan. Ayaw naming mangyari ito,” she said.
“President Bongbong Marcos Jr., kami ay taimtim na nananawagan sayo, tuparin ang kasunduan. Ang kapayapaan ay hindi laruan. Ito ay bunga ng sakripisyo, dugo, at pangakong dapat tuparin,” Diocolano added, local leaders noted.
Palace Response and Commitment to Dialogue
Malacañang confirmed it will engage in thorough discussions with the MILF regarding the suspension of decommissioning. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro shared that President Marcos is deeply concerned by this development, especially since the government has allocated substantial funds for the welfare of former combatants.
“As previously stated, each MILF combatant is entitled to P100,000 in cash assistance. In addition, more than P400 billion has been allocated for socio-economic programs. That’s not all—there are many more efforts underway, as we all know,” Castro explained.
“So, perhaps what’s needed now is a deeper dialogue to ensure a more positive outcome, especially for the members of the MILF,” she added, officials reported.
Historical Context of the Bangsamoro Peace Process
The MILF, a splinter group from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), began pursuing peace talks with the Philippine government during former President Corazon Aquino’s administration in 1986. Both groups initially agreed to negotiate jointly for Mindanao’s peace.
However, progress stalled when autonomy provisions in the 1987 Constitution were not suspended, leading to renewed hostilities. While the MNLF signed a final peace agreement in 1996, the MILF rejected it and intensified conflict during President Joseph Estrada’s term.
Hope was renewed under President Benigno Aquino III, who appointed a new panel led by Marvic Leonen to resume talks with the MILF. This effort culminated in a framework agreement in 2012, signed at Malacañang, aiming to establish a new autonomous political entity.
Despite this milestone, the transition has been slow and fraught with delays, causing frustration among MILF leaders, sources said.
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